Matron’s back
patrolling our
hospital wards

OLD-FASHIONED matrons have returned to the wards at the DGH as part of what bosses hope will improve the quality of care at the hospital.

Matrons were once widely used in the health service but the role, which used to be held by the most senior and experienced nurses, was abolished in the late 1960s.

Locally the term matron was re-introduced by East Sussex NHS Healthcare Trust, but with the slightly modern twist of staff being called clinical matrons – senior nurses who were charged with overseeing a number of wards within the hospital.

This role however was then dropped by the trust last year as part of a restructure.

This week though the job of matron was back, with members of staff who previously held the roles of ward sisters, ward managers and charge nurses appointed as ward matrons as the DGH management looks to establish a new role in in-patient wards.

The matrons have been given more responsibility over their ward and will oversee the day-to-day running of their clinical area.

Jane Hentley, head of nursing, said, “We are delighted that this new title will reflect the autonomy and clinical focus that this post deserves.

“The individuals we have in these roles have a very important part to play in the delivery of care, they are critical to our success.”

Darren Grayson, chief executive, added, “Our new ward matrons have a pivotal role to play to ensure that we provide all our patients with the highest standards of care, privacy, dignity and respect in all our wards and departments all of the time.

“They are accountable for the care delivered on their wards and it is through their strong leadership that we will ensure standards are consistently met and maintained.